Microcontroller Tutoring

 

Instead of offering one-off classes in different aspects of microcontrollers (Arduino or otherwise), our students have been asking for more comprehensive instruction. To that end, we are offering  a whole series of  affordable tutoring sessions that will act as a deep-dive on the Arduino board itself – and how to use it in cool projects!

Each  lesson in this series builds on the previous one, so students become confident in tackling new projects on their own. After taking this series of courses, students will have all the knowledge and skills to take on any project highlighted on DIY sites like  Instructables.com and Hackaday.com – or any project they can imagine.

This after-school enrichment activity can plug right into your child’s weekly schedule – and pickup where your school’s  Common-Core-centered curriculum leaves off. When’s the last time  your child built a robot in school? Your child will learn to do this and much more!

Getting a good STEM education is essential for those looking to take part in the economy of the future. Give your kids this opportunity today, so they’re not left behind tomorrow.

Each 2-hour  tutoring session will offer a one-on-one learning opportunity  that will boost your child’s STEM skills and knowledge. All lessons will be accompanied by take-home reading materials and exercises that will help spark your child’s imagination.

One of the best parts about this program is that all their accomplishments will be filmed and posted to their very own YouTube channel.

Day 1 – Getting to know your Arduino

Students will download the Arduino IDE onto their computer and upload their first program to the board. We will also review all the pins on the Board (PWM, Analog, Digital) – and how they are used in different applications.

Day 2 – Intro to Common Electronic Components

We’ll review different common  electronic components that can be used in different Arduino projects (e.g., resistors, capacitors, potentiometers,  diodes, LEDs, transistors, integrated circuits, voltage regulators, switches, relays) and how they work in series/parallel circuits.

 

Day 3 – Using Electronic Components with Arduino 

Students will incorporate the components learned in the previous  sessions in different Arduino projects. Students will also be introduced to  circuit diagramming tools,  like Fritzig, Eagle, and CircuitLab

 

Day 4 – Coding Bootcamp

We’ll show students how to write code to use the electronic components from the last session. Students will breadboard their own circuits -and then write code that utilizes them. They’ll learn about  data types, for-loops, while-loops, if-else statements, and arrays.  The coding concepts they learn here can be transferred to almost any other computer language.

Day 5 – Sensors

Students will incorporate sensors into their  Arduino projects – and learn how they work.  These include sensors that measure distance, temperatures, light, weight and touch. They’ll learn the strengths and weaknesses of each – and  how to  code to capture input from all of them.

Day 6 – Arduino Shields 

Therer are many different stackable shields that can stacked on top of the microcontroller, all of which can increase its powers.  We’ll solder one together, snap it onto the top of an Arduino and start coding.

Day 7 – Adding Bluetooth Control To Your Projects

We’ll teach you everything you need to know to control your Arduino projects via your smartphone. Utilizing the phone’s bluetooth capabilities, you’ll look like a genius in front of your friends, as your project reacts to your every whim.

Day 8 – Robot Project

Students will draw on everything they’ve learned to build a two-wheeled self-balancing autonomous robot.  The self-navigating robot will  be able to negotiate a sophisticated obstacle course that the students will help build themselves. At this point, students should be able to plan, build and code the robot themselves – but the teacher will be available to provide assistance if the student gets stuck.

Day 9 – We’ll help plan a dream project 

At this point, the student should have all the knowledge needed to tackle ANY microcontroller-based project. We’ll sit down with them to plan out all aspects of their next project (e.g., electric go-kart, drone, automated gardening system), including ordering materials and arranging for use of tools they’ll need to complete the project. We’ll also provide unlimited support for kids, if they need assistance on this project.

 

Teachers are available for after-school or weekend tutoring sessions, Contact me to schedule your next round of sessions for your child.

Next Tutoring Module begins  Saturday May 26 at 4 pm!!!!

REGISTER HERE: